SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) 2025-26 Preseason Polls and awards have been announced, with Augustana picked to finish tied for third in the coaches' and fifth in the media. 

The Vikings garnered 59 votes in the coaches' polls and tied with Michigan Tech, who picked up two first-place votes. St. Thomas leads the way with 72 points and three first-place votes. The defending MacNaughton Cup Champion, Minnesota State University, Mankato, was picked to finish second with 71 points and four first-place votes. 

Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team, and points were awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3 scale.

Augustana was picked to finish in fifth place in the media polls behind Minnesota State, St. Thomas. Bowling Green and Michigan Tech. The Mavericks garnered first with 127 points with eight first-place votes, while the Tommies earned 115 points and two first-place votes, and the Falcons rounded out the top three with 108 points and four first-place votes. 

Head coach Garrett Raboin announced seven incoming Vikings for the 2025-26 season. The incoming class consists of three defensemen, three forwards and a goalie. The class consists of three Canadians, a Belarusian, a Finn, and two Americans, including the first player from South Dakota in program history. Augustana will roster 27 Vikings for the third season in program history. 

The CCHA officially drops the puck on year five of the reconfigured league on Friday, Oct. 3. Eight of the CCHA's nine teams will be in action on opening weekend, with Minnesota State getting its season underway on October 10.

Fans can stream all CCHA games live and on-demand, on their home televisions, computers, tablets, and mobile devices via Midco Sports Plus. The app is available on mobile/tablet apps (iOS and Android), connected TV device apps (AppleTV, FireTV and Roku) and a web-based browser interface. If you have additional questions or want to see more information about coverage or subscriptions, go to midcosports.com/ccha.